PRINCE GEORGE’S FIRST DAY AT ETON: A Little-Known Rule That Has Everyone Talking
Prince George will be taking part in Eton College traditions very soon — as early as his first day of school there.
Kensington Palace announced this month that Prince George, 12, will attend Eton College starting this September, following in the footsteps of his father Prince William, his uncle Prince Harry and many more royal family members who attended the prestigious boarding school.
“Both William and Catherine did their research very carefully to make the right decision,” former Queen Elizabeth II private secretary Ailsa Anderson shared in this week’s cover article. In addition, a source close to the family said, “George has always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps.”
The all-boys school, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, is rich with tradition, and Prince George will complete one almost immediately upon arrival.
One of Prince George’s first challenges will be the “colours test,” where he will be quizzed on the official colours of Eton College’s 25 boarding houses as well as the school’s building locations.
According to Eton College, each of the 25 boarding houses has approximately 55 students, around 11 from each “block” or grade. Each boy has their own room in the boarding house.
“The 25 Boarding Houses at Eton are the same but different. They are all caring communities that put kindness and empathy at the heart of their ethos. In turn, this allows boys to develop a strong understanding of themselves and their capabilities within a safe, tolerant and understanding environment,” Eton College explains.
“Houses prioritise honesty and integrity, and expect boys to treat each other with courtesy and respect,” they continue. “Older boys play a key role in welcoming the new F Block (Year 9) into the House community and in providing positive role models for the whole House. In doing so, they nurture a sense of belonging — a key ingredient to flourishing here. These values are lived out in all Houses, yet each House also has its own character to reflect the identities of the boys and staff who live there.”
Prince William and Prince Harry were both residents of Manor House during their time at Eton, and George is expected to board there as well.
Prince George will also have to pick up on Eton College’s jargon, from “rips” (a reprimand for poor school work) to “beaks” (the term for an Eton Master or teacher).
Arriving late to class? That will land students in the “Tardy Book.”
If an Eton College student breaks a rule, he will end up on “the Bill.” According to the school, they “will be summoned to account for their behaviour when they have broken the School rules, usually resulting in a meeting with the Head Master or Lower Master, or a suitably senior member of staff. The Bill was dubbed ‘a prelude to some punishment’ in the 1923 glossary.”
Prince George will also have to follow the “school dress,” or uniform, often referred to as “tails.”
The Eton uniform consists of a black tailcoat, waistcoat and pinstriped trousers, with a stiff white collar. Seniority is denoted by wearing “stick-ups,” a winged collar with bow tie, with other boys wearing the “Eton collar.”
When an Etonian has passed the King’s Scholarship exam and becomes a “King’s Scholar,” they wear a black academic gown over their uniform.
It’s likely that the world will get a look at Prince George on his first day at Eton. When Prince William started at the school in September 1995, photographers captured him signing in with his family — the future King Charles, Princess Diana and Prince Harry — surrounding him.
Prince William and Kate Middleton, both 44, have shared similar public looks at significant first days of school for their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8 — over the years.
